“The Dems have their smoking gun.”
The Dems have smoke, and a gun.
They’re blowing smoke, and the gun is a prop.
The law in question says POTUS can delay spending for 45 days to get Congress to rescind the spending. Past that, Comptroller General may give 25 days notice that he will sue (civil) to compel the spending.
The law in question does NOT say POTUS _must_ commence spending within 45 days.
Contrast this with the law in question stating that POTUS _must_ COMPLETE spending by end of fiscal year, unless otherwise extended (which Congress did).
There’s another interpretation which is even more charitable, interpreting the 45 days as the time which Congress has to respond to a rescindment request.
This is not a “smoking gun”.
This is not a “smoking gun”.
Correct. It’s a fig leaf the GOP Never Trumpers will hide behind for a few days while they demand more witnesses and deny POTUS a robust defense.